“The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter.” – Mark Twain

Laughter is important to living—it relieves tension, decreases stress, makes you feel more relaxed, and increases happiness. Here are ten ideas for bringing more laughter into your life:

1. Reminisce with an old friend – Connecting with a friend from your past is sure to drum up laughs as you talk about your favorite memories. You will remember inside jokes, funny stories, and the hilarious events that shaped your life. A blast from the past can be really rejuvenating for that funny bone of yours!

2. Humor in everyday life – Laughter can be found in the most common of places; sometimes even the ordinary is ironically funny. In what areas of your life can you find that bit of humor? See if there’s anything particularly comical about the unfolding of your day that you can share with a co-worker, neighbor, or friend you see or talk to on a regular basis.

3. Watch your favorite comedy/TV show – Nothing loosens you up better like a nice comedy movie or your favorite TV sitcom. It doesn’t have to be deep and thought-provoking; just something that will make you laugh! The effects will carry over into the next day.

4. Play with children – Kids are so carefree, uninhibited, and happy. Remember your own youth by spending time with them. Play with your own children, or those of a close friend or family member, to find yourself having fun and laughing the way you did as a kid.

5. Have a sleepover – You’re not too old for a good old-fashioned sleepover. Whether it’s one friend or 10, invite some friends over for movies, popcorn, and makeovers. Laughter comes standard at sleepovers and reconnecting with friends on an intimate level will keep you smiling for days afterward!

6. Visit an amusement park – This will make you laugh not just because you’re having fun, but because you will remember what it’s like to have fun in such a simple, yet fulfilling way. Grab a friend or your significant other and head to an amusement park for fun and possibly a prize or two!

7. Try something new – Trying new things, or attempting to do things you know you’re not the best at, leads you to having fun and being able to laugh at yourself good-naturedly. Play mini-golf, go bowling, attend a Zumba class, whatever it is you’re normally intimidated by—and be prepared to laugh! You’ll feel better in more ways than one.

8. Listen to a fun song from your childhood – A great way to loosen you up and laugh more is to listen to a song from your childhood. Listening to it now will remind you where you were when you heard it, who you were with at the time, or how you used to dance when it came on the radio. And often times, the song sounds so dated that you can’t help but laugh at that, too!

9. Play in a bouncy house – Hop in the bouncy house at your child’s friend’s birthday party, at a community event, or at a play center near you. Jumping and laughing with a bunch of children in a whimsical, bouncing castle will guarantee to open the door to endless laughter—and it’s a good workout, too.

10. Making someone laugh – Hearing someone else’s laughter is guaranteed to make you laugh, too. It’s contagious! Telling a hilarious joke to a friend or tickling your significant other—anything to elicit a good, hearty laugh will make sure that you start laughing, too.

About Alex Blackwell

Alex Blackwell is a father, husband and writer. He writes about inspiring things at The BridgeMaker.
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